This Wikispace is designed to be a forum in which you analyze and discuss topics in contemporary politics with your classmates. Your grade will be based on the quality of your participation over the course of the term, this includes: timeliness of posts, use of evidence and research in your arguments, and your civil consideration of the opposing viewpoints of your classmates. Click on the "discussion" tab above and have a conversation about the following topics:
Now apply your philosophy to one of the following current issues: legalization of gay marriage in the state of New York, whether taxes should be raised to help balance the federal budget, and Massachusetts' recent decriminalization of marijuana. First, utilizing your political philosophy, argue in your own post to what extent the federal government should play a role in this issue. Second, you must respond to at least one other classmate's written on a different topic.
DISCUSSION #2: Do you think the Constitution is "fixed or flexible?" Should we look at it as a living document that should change with the times, or as a sacred document, set in stone? State your opinion and respond to at least ONE other classmate using evidence from the articles and any other relevant sources. Holy Sheet The Perils of Constitution Worship
To hear an overview of the debate, click on Program 2: "The Constitution: Fixed or Flexible?" Video from the Annenberg Foundation. (Click on the VoD button next to program to watch video.)
DISCUSSION #3: In the article "The Federalism Flip-Flop," James Gimpel argues that the issue of national versus local/state sovereignty should be decided on a case-by-case basis. When it comes to the issues of gay marriage and the legalization of marijuana, do you agree? Why? Below is a list of links to a variety of articles about Federalism and a pro and con article for both of these issues. Read at least one of the background articles to get an overview of what the debate over Federalism is all about, then choose between the two topics to write your opinion, reading both the pro and con arguments. Be sure to keep you comments primarily limited to a discussion of federalism, rather than an opinion as to whether or not you support legalizing either marijuana or gay marriage.
Discussion #4 Bush v. Gore is one of the most controversial modern Supreme Court decisions. Conservatives, such as Peter Berkowitz, argue that the decision was the right one and helped settle the contentious Presidential election so the country could move forward with a new government. Others, like Alan Dershowitz, believe this case was a horrible miscarriage of justice where justices let their political biases affect their legal justifications and thus forever tainted the hard earned reputation of the Court. After reading the two articles respond in the Discussion #4 thread whether or not you agree with the Supreme Court's decision.
DISCUSSION #5:
America, like every other country or society, has unique elements of its culture. Read the following articles about American culture as preparation for the articles on class consciousness in America.
After reading these two articles on American culture consider the question of whether or not America is a meritocracy and whether we are or at least should be concerned with issues of class. What do you think? Using the articles below (you don't have to read all of them, but you should read at least two from each perspective) as well as any outside research, debate this question.
In light of our class discussion today I serendipitously stumbled upon these articles after following some links from Andrew Sullivan's blog. Read these three links and respond to the questions in discussion #6. (This will be counted on term 2).
After reading the CQ Researcher briefing "Abortion Debates: Should States Enact New Restrictions?" discuss whether you think the Supreme Court decision Roe v. Wade was correctly decided and whether states should and can place more limits on access to abortion services.
Download the .pdf file of this report and respond to this question prompt:
What are the implications, if any, for the changing demographic makeup of the U.S. electorate?
Discussion #9:
Many people wonder why the United States' two party system continues to endure. Many people continue to struggle to define the Tea Party movement in relation to America's two party system. After reading the following articles put the Tea Party in to the proper context in America's history of third party/minor party movements.
Money in politics is a contentious issue. After completing the webquest from class today and reading the following articles on money in politics, 527s, 501c3 groups and the Supreme Court's Citizens United v. FEC decision discuss campaign finance with your classmates.
Is money in politics a problem? Specifically why or why not.
How would you change, if at all, the campaign finance system.
What do you think about where Democrats and Republicans get their money. What does it tell us about parties, campaigns, politics and policy in this country.
Discuss your personal feeling about Social Security reform having now completed the Congressional Committee simulation.
Discussion #12:
Presidential powers and the War on Terror.
What powers should the President exercise in conducting the War on Terror and what should be done about people currently held at Guatanomo Bay? Read the following articles (and relevant links) and discuss.
DISCUSSION #1: After our class discussion on political philosophy and different perspectives of the United States' history read the following articles:
Freedom vs. Equality by George Will, Washington Post February 1, 2004.
The Case for Conservatism by George Will, Washington Post
In Defense of Liberalism by Wayne Besen, The Huffington Post
Now apply your philosophy to one of the following current issues: legalization of gay marriage in the state of New York, whether taxes should be raised to help balance the federal budget, and Massachusetts' recent decriminalization of marijuana. First, utilizing your political philosophy, argue in your own post to what extent the federal government should play a role in this issue. Second, you must respond to at least one other classmate's written on a different topic.
DISCUSSION #2: Do you think the Constitution is "fixed or flexible?" Should we look at it as a living document that should change with the times, or as a sacred document, set in stone? State your opinion and respond to at least ONE other classmate using evidence from the articles and any other relevant sources.
Holy Sheet
The Perils of Constitution Worship
To hear an overview of the debate, click on Program 2: "The Constitution: Fixed or Flexible?" Video from the Annenberg Foundation. (Click on the VoD button next to program to watch video.)
DISCUSSION #3: In the article "The Federalism Flip-Flop," James Gimpel argues that the issue of national versus local/state sovereignty should be decided on a case-by-case basis. When it comes to the issues of gay marriage and the legalization of marijuana, do you agree? Why? Below is a list of links to a variety of articles about Federalism and a pro and con article for both of these issues. Read at least one of the background articles to get an overview of what the debate over Federalism is all about, then choose between the two topics to write your opinion, reading both the pro and con arguments. Be sure to keep you comments primarily limited to a discussion of federalism, rather than an opinion as to whether or not you support legalizing either marijuana or gay marriage.
Federalism Background
The Gay Marriage Debate
The Medical Marijuana Debate
Discussion #4 Bush v. Gore is one of the most controversial modern Supreme Court decisions. Conservatives, such as Peter Berkowitz, argue that the decision was the right one and helped settle the contentious Presidential election so the country could move forward with a new government. Others, like Alan Dershowitz, believe this case was a horrible miscarriage of justice where justices let their political biases affect their legal justifications and thus forever tainted the hard earned reputation of the Court. After reading the two articles respond in the Discussion #4 thread whether or not you agree with the Supreme Court's decision.
Federalism issues in Bush v. Gore
DISCUSSION #5:
America, like every other country or society, has unique elements of its culture. Read the following articles about American culture as preparation for the articles on class consciousness in America.
**Foreign //Office//**: THE FRENCH AND GERMANS HAVE REMADE THE BBC SERIES. WHY? by Liesl Schillinger, Slate.com
This article, although having nothing to do with actual politics, describes how the four different versions of the sitcom "The Office" communicates essential differences between German, French, British and American cultures.
Why Everyone You Know Thinks the Same as You by Shankar Vedantam, The Washington Post
After reading these two articles on American culture consider the question of whether or not America is a meritocracy and whether we are or at least should be concerned with issues of class. What do you think? Using the articles below (you don't have to read all of them, but you should read at least two from each perspective) as well as any outside research, debate this question.
The Death of Horatio Alger (Paul Krugman)
Class Warfare Obscures the Tax-Cut Debate (Heritage Foundation)
In Class Warfare, Guess Which Class is Winning (Ben Stein)
The Class Warfare Gambit (National Review)
The Rockefellers and the Angry Commoners (Slate)
Class-War Games (Slate)
Discussion #6:
In light of our class discussion today I serendipitously stumbled upon these articles after following some links from Andrew Sullivan's blog. Read these three links and respond to the questions in discussion #6. (This will be counted on term 2).America is Not the Greatest Country Ever (Michael Kinsley)
Patriotism as Status Socialism (or, America: F**k Yeah!) (Julian Sanchez)
An Exceptional Debate The Obama administration’s assault on American identity (RICHARD LOWRY & RAMESH PONNURU)
The Big Lie-Andrew Sullivan, The Atlantic
Discussion #7:
After reading the CQ Researcher briefing "Abortion Debates: Should States Enact New Restrictions?" discuss whether you think the Supreme Court decision Roe v. Wade was correctly decided and whether states should and can place more limits on access to abortion services.Discussion #8:
Dissecting the 2008 Electorate: Most Diverse in U.S. History by the Pew Research CenterDownload the .pdf file of this report and respond to this question prompt:
What are the implications, if any, for the changing demographic makeup of the U.S. electorate?
Discussion #9:
Many people wonder why the United States' two party system continues to endure. Many people continue to struggle to define the Tea Party movement in relation to America's two party system. After reading the following articles put the Tea Party in to the proper context in America's history of third party/minor party movements.
Discussion #10:
Money in politics is a contentious issue. After completing the webquest from class today and reading the following articles on money in politics, 527s, 501c3 groups and the Supreme Court's Citizens United v. FEC decision discuss campaign finance with your classmates.
Discussion #11:
Discuss your personal feeling about Social Security reform having now completed the Congressional Committee simulation.Discussion #12:
Presidential powers and the War on Terror.What powers should the President exercise in conducting the War on Terror and what should be done about people currently held at Guatanomo Bay? Read the following articles (and relevant links) and discuss.
President's Executive Order
Obama Clears Way for Guantánamo Trials By SCOTT SHANE and MARK LANDLER Published: March 7, 2011 New York Times
Arguments for a Change in the Government's Detention Policy at Guantanamo Bay
The "Bush-tortured" excuse for indefinite detention BY GLENN GREENWALD
FRIDAY, MAY 22, 2009 10:23 ET Facts and myths about Obama's preventive detention proposal BY GLENN GREENWALD
Arguments in Favor of the Government's Detention Policy at Guantanamo Bay
Catch and Release The Guantanamo Recidivism Problem. DEC 28, 2009, VOL. 15, NO. 15 • BY STEPHEN F. HAYES
Thoughts About Obama's most recent Executive Order on Guantanamo Bay
Some preliminary thoughts on the Gitmo Executive Order by Deborah Pearlstein
Discussion #13:
Post Debate Discussion on Presidential PowersAfter listening to the debate on Presidential Powers argue whether or not the Presidency has grown too powerful since World War II.
Coincidently, Andrew Sullivan posted this on his blog today.
The Imperial Presidency-Andrew Sullivan's The Daily Dish, March 18, 2011